San Jose police officer arrested on sexual assault charges

A San Jose police officer was arrested this week on suspicion of sexual assault of a minor, the department announced Tuesday.

The officer, identified as Saul Duran, was booked into Santa Clara County main jail Monday on multiple felony counts of sexual assault of a minor. Duran was a 22-year veteran of the San Jose Police Department, police Chief Paul Joseph said during a news conference Tuesday.

The alleged sexual assault took place about 13 years ago and involved a minor teenage girl, Joseph said.

“We were devastated to learn of these allegations and we hope that our swift investigation and arrest of Duran will demonstrate to survivors that we will treat your disclosure seriously, regardless of how much time has passed,” Joseph said. “If the violator is a police officer, they will not be protected by other police officers.”

At the time of the alleged assault, the officer worked with a volunteer police department program called the Parent Project and reportedly became acquainted with the victims, both minor girls at the time, through the program, authorities said.

An investigation was launched June 18 when the adult sisters came forward to report the alleged assaults that occurred when they were minors, Joseph said. The investigation revealed that the alleged crimes took place between 2008 and 2012.

As the investigation continued, Duran was placed on administrative leave at the end of June, about a week before his arrest, Joseph said.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office also worked with police in the investigation leading to the officer’s arrest.

“We’re very grateful that these women came forward, and we will get justice for them and protect this community,” DA Jeff Rosen said.

Duran has since been released on bail. He is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 7 for arraignment, officials said.

NBC Bay Area reached out to the Parent Project for comment on Duran’s arrest and provided the following statement citing Rosen:

“Sometimes, parents abuse children. Sometimes it’s teachers or coaches. Sometimes a police officer. It might seem like this happens so much, but statistically these are still aberrations,” Rosen said. “The SJPD and the DA’s Office are here to deal with criminal aberrations, to try and prevent them, and make sure that predators – like this one – stop and pay for what they have done.”

Source: www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/san-jose-police-officer-arrested/3909491/